[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Health Department Releases Healthy Lifestyle Survey Results

[Press Releases]

The following press release can be found online at:
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Health/healthdepartmentnewsandpressreleases.php

 

For Immediate Release
July 6, 2009
 
Media Contact: Maureen Coy, Health Educator
573.874.7559 or mkc at GoColumbiaMo.com 
 
Health Department Releases Healthy Lifestyle Survey Results 
Kids and Adults Both Say More Time is Needed for Physical Activity
 
The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human
Services, in collaboration with the University of Missouri Boone County
Extension Healthy Lifestyle Initiative, surveyed 1510 adults and 824
children, asking questions about physical activity and food. The survey
was distributed to over 30 community agencies throughout Boone County.
The goal of the survey was to assess community behaviors and needs to
further direct local planning to improve the health of the community and
reduce overweight and obesity.
 
The results show a community that is trying to improve their health
through food choices and physical activity. Key results include:83.9% of
adult respondents say they would support schools and local governments
in developing policies and environments to promote healthy lifestyles.
This could include policies that regulate they type of food served in
school cafeterias and/or a sales tax increase to fund parks/recreations
centers.
Adults and kids both agree that physical education classes and recess
time contribute to healthier lifestyles. Adults listed “reduced physical
education and recess time” as one of the top 5 factors that contribute
to unhealthy lifestyles among children in the community. More than 53%
of the kids responded that more recess time and more physical education
time would help them be physically active.

 
Complete results are available online at www.GoColumbiaMo.com (
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ ). Citizens and/or policy makers who
have questions about the survey may contact Stacia Reilly at
573.874.6345 or Maureen Coy at 573.874.7559.
 
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